Gordon County 4-H will offer the first MyPI youth training class in Georgia. MyPI (My Preparedness Initiative), a two-time award winning program, will be led by 4-H Agent, Allie Griner, and Gordon County Fire Chief and 4-H Volunteer, Doug Ralston. This duo attended instructor certification by the National MyPI training team at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in January. They will accept youth training applications beginning today until February 16th, with classes beginning on Monday, March 5th. To find out more about this youth preparedness training and how you and your teens can be involved, contact the Gordon County Extension Office at...

A Joint Public Safety Announcement By The City of Calhoun and Gordon County Fire Chiefs Due to the extreme drought, dry conditions, and high winds, City of Calhoun Fire Chief Lenny Nesbitt and Gordon County Fire Chief Doug Ralston declare an immediate county-wide temporary ban on all types of outdoor open burning, including campfires, open cooking fires, warming fires, and bonfires. This shall also include a State of Georgia ban on the use of Consumer fireworks. This ban on open burning is supported by the Gordon County Board of Commissioners Resolution of November 4th, 2016, officially banning all types of outdoor fires, and the City of Calhoun Code of Ordinances, Section 50-133, prohibiting fires during hazardous conditions. In other words, do not light any outdoor fires or shoot any fireworks while this ban is in effect. GCFD, CFD and 9-1-1 are getting calls for smoke in all areas of the city and county. This smoke is coming from the many large wildfires burning north and northeast from us. Call 9-1-1 if you see active fire or columns of smoke from a specific area, but please be aware that smoke is wide spread across the area. Chief Ralston and Chief Nesbitt want to ensure that the public understands the serious danger associated with open burning during this drought event. Failure to comply with the request of no open burning may result in penalties for the responsible party. Please also remember to be safe during the upcoming holiday seasons with cooking and decorations in your homes and businesses. From: Chief Lenny Nesbitt and Chief Doug...

Gordon County 4-H will offer the first MyPI youth training class in Georgia. MyPI (My Preparedness Initiative), a two-time award winning program, will be led by 4-H Agent, Allie Griner, and Gordon County Fire Chief and 4-H Volunteer, Doug Ralston. This duo attended instructor certification by the National MyPI training team at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in January. They will accept youth training applications beginning today until February...

A Joint Public Safety Announcement By The City of Calhoun and Gordon County Fire Chiefs Due to the extreme drought, dry conditions, and high winds, City of Calhoun Fire Chief Lenny Nesbitt and Gordon County Fire Chief Doug Ralston declare an immediate county-wide temporary ban on all types of outdoor open burning, including campfires, open cooking fires, warming fires, and bonfires. This shall also include a State of Georgia ban on...

Recently, firefighters from both Gordon County Fire/Rescue and Calhoun Fire Department had the opportunity to practice their extrication techniques with some new technology. Despite the extreme August heat, firefighters gathered in the holding yard of Parrish Wrecker Service and were introduced to the Hurst Jaws of Life®; however, this wasn’t the first time some of our firefighters have seen or used the Hurst brand of extrication...

At the September 15, 2015 Board of Commissioner’s work session, the Board of Commissioners along with Fire Chief Doug Ralston and other Fire Officers conducted a Pinning Ceremony to congratulate the following the fire fighters in their new ranks within the department. To the rank of Sergeant: Brandon Holcomb Hugh Holcomb Josh Howard Adam Dortch To the rank of Lieutenant: Josh Cochran Andrew Cornwell Congratulations to all of...

The third year of Gordon County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funded hydrant installations are well underway. Georgia Hydrant Services of Loganville, GA are back in Gordon County for the third year to install the hydrants with this year’s heaviest concentration in the Nickelsville and Oostanaula communities. Approximately forty-three hydrants will be installed in each of these communities. Crews will be...

Recently, Santek Waste Services merged a portion of their company’s resources with Gordon County Fire/Rescue’s (GCFR) in order to incorporate the solid waste facility’s recycling efforts with a very beneficial cause. Levi Higdon, Regional Manager for Santek Waste Services coordinated with GCFR’s Battalion Chief Heath Smith to make a significant donation, and make plans to continue their efforts in the future. “A recent donation from...